25 February 2026
Afghanistan
The Taliban reject Russia’s assessment that there are between 20,000 and 23,000 members of international militant organizations operating in Afghanistan. Russia believes that over half of the estimated total is made up of foreign nationals. Russia also estimated that ISIS-Khorasan has about 3,000 members and that it is the only group that opposes the Afghan Taliban.
India-Israel
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel for a two-day visit, his first since the war in Gaza began. Modi is expected to address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, and hold meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Germany-China
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in Beijing on a 3-day diplomatic tour. Merz announced that he had secured the sale of up to 120 planes from European aircraft giant Airbus, though no mention was made of what kinds of aircraft.
Ukraine
Russia claims that Ukraine is seeking nuclear weapons, a new roadblock on the path to peace. Russia claims that France and the UK are seeking to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine. This has been categorically rejected by President Zelenskyy. The British Foreign Office has also denied these allegations.
Pentagon-Anthropic
The Department of War has given AI company Anthropic until Friday to agree to unfettered military usage of Claude. Media reports suggest that the Pentagon may use emergency federal powers like the Defense Production Act to force Anthropic to provide access if it refuses. Anthropic is resisting the use of its tools for fully autonomous military targeting operations and mass domestic surveillance of US citizens.
Japan
Japan will deploy surface-to-air missiles on the island of Yonaguni, which is 100km from Taiwan and visible from the island on a clear day. The deployment of these missiles is expected in March 2031. It was first announced in 2022, but there has never been a clear delivery date until now. It is believed that Japan will deploy the Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (Chu-SAM/SAM-4). This also comes as Sino-Japanese relations are at a low. China banned the export of critical minerals to Japan this week.
Social media wires
During a keynote address, Putin claims that Ukraine is planning to use a nuclear weapon or “component.”
Pakistan tests new MLRS
Featured Photo: “Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (Chu-SAM/SAM-4)” – Wikimedia Commons, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.